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Abstract:

A plant air purifier and associated method for purifying air, comprising:
at least one grow container; a filter bed comprising a surface which is
horizontal within 20 degrees of a horizontal plane; at least one plant
which grows within the filter bed; a reservoir for containing water for
watering the at least one plant; a mechanical watering device which
waters the filter bed from the top down; a pump for pumping water from
the reservoir to and through the mechanical watering device; and an air
propulsion mechanism for propelling air through the filter bed.

Claims:

1. A plant air purifier, comprising: a filter bed; at least one plant
growing within said filter bed; a mechanical watering device which waters
said filter bed from the top down; an air propulsion mechanism for
propelling air through said filter bed; and a computerized control system
controlling said air propulsion mechanism by at least one of: shutting
off said air propulsion mechanism based upon when said mechanical
watering device is watering said filter bed; and turning on said air
propulsion mechanism based upon water having substantially ceased
draining though said filter bed.

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

5. The plant air purifier of claim 1, further comprising a grow lamp for
providing light to said at least one plant, comprising at least one light
emitting diode (LED).

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. The plant air purifier of claim 1, further comprising: a reservoir for
containing water for watering said at least one plant; and said
computerized control system shutting off said air propulsion mechanism,
responsive to detecting when said reservoir is low on water.

9. The plant air purifier of claim 1, further comprising said
computerized control system shutting off said air propulsion mechanism
when said mechanical watering device is watering said filter bed.

10. The plant air purifier of claim 1, further comprising said
computerized control system deactivating said air propulsion mechanism
from functioning for a time period after said mechanical watering device
has ceased watering said filter bed, to allow excess water within said
filter bed to substantially drain through said filter bed due to gravity
without being propelled by the air propulsion mechanism whereby it might
overly saturate the indoor air of a habitable structure.

11. The plant air purifier of claim 10, further comprising: a moisture
sensor for sensing moisture within said filter bed; wherein: said time
period is determined by said moisture sensor sensing that said excess
water has substantially drained though said filter bed.

12. (canceled)

13. The plant air purifier of claim 1, further comprising: a light
sensitive device for sensing a degree of ambient light in a space in
which said air purifier is placed; a grow lamp for providing light to
said at least one plant; and said computerized control system controlling
activation and deactivation of said grow lamp responsive to said sensing
said degree of ambient light.

14. The plant air purifier of claim 13, said computerized control system
activating said grow lamp responsive to determining that said degree of
ambient light is insufficient for said at least one plant.

15. The plant air purifier of claim 1, further comprising: a light
sensitive device for sensing a degree of ambient light in a space in
which said air purifier is placed; and said computerized control system
controlling activation and deactivation of said air propulsion mechanism
responsive to said sensing said degree of ambient light.

16. The plant air purifier of claim 15, said computerized control system
activating or deactivating said air propulsion mechanism responsive to
determining that said space is substantially dark.

17. (canceled)

18. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

20. (canceled)

21. (canceled)

22. (canceled)

23. The plant air purifier of claim 1, said mechanical watering device
comprising a micro-irrigation system comprising at least one irrigation
source outlet for delivering water to said filter bed in a
substantially-uniform fashion.

24. (canceled)

25. (canceled)

26. The plant air purifier of claim 1, further comprising at least one
plant support selected from the group consisting of: a canopy; a trellis;
wires; and strands; for substantially preventing plants rooted in said
filter bed from contacting said filter bed, thereby facilitating said
delivering water to said filter bed in a substantially-uniform fashion.

27. The plant air purifier of claim 1, further comprising said
computerized control system for performing at least one control function
selected from the control function group consisting of: operating said
air propulsion mechanism based on when said mechanical watering device is
watering said filter bed; operating said air propulsion mechanism based
on a time of day; operating said air propulsion mechanism based on a day
of the week; operating a grow lamp for providing light to said at least
one plant, based on a time of day; actuating a signal discernable by a
user when water in said reservoir is low; operating said grow lamp based
on a degree of ambient light in a space in which said air purifier is
placed; operating said mechanical watering device based on a time of day;
and operating said mechanical watering device based sensing a moisture
content in said filter bed.

28. The plant air purifier of claim 27, further comprising a user
input/output device for a user to program said computerized control
system and thereby predetermine the control functions controlled thereby.

29. The plant air purifier of claim 1, further comprising ultraviolet
light for application to air flowing out of said filter bed, for reducing
mold and mildew.

30. (canceled)

31. (canceled)

32. The plant air purifier of claim 1, further comprising said
computerized control system for receiving sensed information from at
least one sensor selected from the sensor group consisting of: a moisture
sensor for sensing moisture in said filter bed; a level sensor for
sensing a water level in said reservoir; a light sensitive device for
sensing a degree of ambient light in a space in which said air purifier
is placed; and a motion sensor for sensing motion nearby to said air
purifier; and said computerized control system, responsive to at least
one of said sensors, for performing at least one control function
selected from the control function group consisting of: operating a LED
grow lamp for providing light to said at least one plant; operating said
air propulsion mechanism; applying ultraviolet to air flowing out of said
filter bed, for reducing mold and mildew; actuating a signal discernable
by a user when a condition exists which requires user attention; and
operating said mechanical watering device.

33. The plant air purifier of claim 1, further comprising said
computerized control system for receiving sensed information from at
least two sensors selected from the sensor group consisting of: a
moisture sensor for sensing moisture in said filter bed; a level sensor
for sensing a water level in said reservoir; a light sensitive device for
sensing a degree of ambient light in a space in which said air purifier
is placed; and a motion sensor for sensing motion nearby to said air
purifier: said computerized control system, responsive to at least one of
said sensors, for performing at least three control functions selected
from the control function group consisting of: operating a LED grow lamp
for providing light to said at least one plant; operating said air
propulsion mechanism; applying ultraviolet to air flowing out of said
filter bed, for reducing mold and mildew; actuating a signal discernable
by a user when a condition exists which requires user attention; and
operating said mechanical watering device.

34. The plant air purifier of claim 1, further comprising said
computerized control system for receiving sensed information from: a
moisture sensor for sensing moisture in said filter bed; a level sensor
for sensing a water level in said reservoir; a light sensitive device for
sensing a degree of ambient light in a space in which said air purifier
is placed; and a motion sensor for sensing motion nearby to said air
purifier: said computerized control system, responsive to at least one of
said sensors, for performing the control functions of: operating a LED
grow lamp for providing light to said at least one plant; operating said
air propulsion mechanism; applying ultraviolet to air flowing out of said
filter bed, for reducing mold and mildew; actuating a signal discernable
by a user when a condition exists which requires user attention; and
operating said mechanical watering device.

35. (canceled)

36. The plant air purifier of claim 1, further comprising pumping some of
said water to a bottom of said filter bed and thereby watering said
filter bed from a bottom up in addition to said watering the filter bed
from the top down.

37. The plant air purifier of claim 1, integrated into a ducting system
of a habitable structure in which said air purifier is placed.

38. (canceled)

39. (canceled)

40. The plant air purifier of claim 1, further comprising: a motion
sensor for sensing motion nearby to said air purifier; said computerized
control system responsive to said motion sensor for performing at least
one control function selected from the control function group consisting
of: operating a LED grow lamp for providing light to said at least one
plant; operating said air propulsion mechanism; applying ultraviolet to
air flowing out of said filter bed, for reducing mold and mildew;
actuating a signal discernable by a user when a condition exists which
requires user attention; and operating said mechanical watering device.

41. (canceled)

42. (canceled)

43. (canceled)

44. (canceled)

45. (canceled)

46. (canceled)

47. (canceled)

48. A method for purifying air using a plant air purifier, comprising:
providing a filter bed; growing at least one plant within said filter
bed; watering said filter bed from the top down, using a mechanical
watering device; propelling air through said filter bed using an air
propulsion mechanism; and controlling said air propulsion mechanism by at
least one of: shutting off said air propulsion mechanism based upon when
said mechanical watering device is watering said filter bed; and turning
on said air propulsion mechanism based upon water having substantially
ceased draining though said filter bed.

49. (canceled)

50. (canceled)

51. (canceled)

52. The method of claim 48, further comprising providing light to said at
least one plant, using a grow lamp comprising at least one light emitting
diode (LED).

53. (canceled)

54. (canceled)

55. The method of claim 48, further comprising: containing within a
reservoir, water for watering said at least one plant; and shutting off
said air propulsion mechanism, responsive to detecting when said
reservoir is low on water.

56. The method of claim 48, further comprising shutting off said air
propulsion mechanism, when said mechanical watering device is watering
said filter bed.

57. The method of claim 48, further comprising deactivating said air
propulsion mechanism from functioning for a time period after said
mechanical watering device has ceased watering said filter bed, to allow
excess water within said filter bed to substantially drain through said
filter bed due to gravity without being propelled by the air propulsion
mechanism whereby it might overly saturate the indoor air of a habitable
structure.

58. The method of claim 57, further comprising determining said time
period in response to a moisture sensor for sensing moisture within said
filter bed sensing that said excess water has substantially drained
though said filter bed.

59. (canceled)

60. The method of claim 48, further comprising activating and
deactivating a grow lamp for providing light to said at least one plant,
responsive to sensing a degree of ambient light using a light sensitive
device.

61. The method of claim 60, further comprising activating said grow lamp
responsive to determining that said degree of ambient light is
insufficient for said at least one plant.

62. The method of claim 48, further comprising activating and
deactivating said air propulsion mechanism responsive to sensing a degree
of ambient light using a light sensitive device.

63. The method of claim 62, further comprising activating or deactivating
said air propulsion mechanism responsive to determining that said space
is substantially dark.

64. (canceled)

65. (canceled)

66. (canceled)

67. (canceled)

68. (canceled)

69. (canceled)

70. The method of claim 48, further comprising delivering water to said
filter bed in a substantially-uniform fashion, using said mechanical
watering device comprising a micro-irrigation system comprising at least
one irrigation source outlet thereof.

71. (canceled)

72. (canceled)

73. The method of claim 48, further comprising supporting said at least
one plant using at least one plant support selected from the group
consisting of: a canopy; a trellis; wires; and strands; for substantially
preventing plants rooted in said filter bed from contacting said filter
bed, thereby facilitating said delivering water to said filter bed in a
substantially-uniform fashion.

74. The method of claim 48, further comprising performing at least one
control function selected from the control function group consisting of:
operating said air propulsion mechanism based on when said mechanical
watering device is watering said filter bed; operating said air
propulsion mechanism based on a time of day; operating said air
propulsion mechanism based on a day of the week; operating a grow lamp
for providing light to said at least one plant, based on a time of day;
actuating a signal discernable by a user when water in said reservoir is
low; operating said grow lamp based on a degree of ambient light in a
space in which said air purifier is placed; operating said mechanical
watering device based on a time of day; and operating said mechanical
watering device based sensing a moisture content in said filter bed.

75. The method of claim 74, further comprising a user programming and
thereby predetermining, said control functions.

76. The method of claim 48, further comprising reducing mold and mildew
by applying ultraviolet light to air flowing out of said filter bed.

77. (canceled)

78. (canceled)

79. The method of claim 48, further comprising receiving sensed
information from at least one sensor selected from the sensor group
consisting of: a moisture sensor for sensing moisture in said filter bed;
a level sensor for sensing a water level in said reservoir; a light
sensitive device for sensing a degree of ambient light in a space in
which said air purifier is placed; and a motion sensor for sensing motion
nearby to said air purifier; and responsive to at least one of said
sensors, performing at least one control function selected from the
control function group consisting of: operating a LED grow lamp for
providing light to said at least one plant; operating said air propulsion
mechanism; applying ultraviolet to air flowing out of said filter bed,
for reducing mold and mildew; actuating a signal discernable by a user
when a condition exists which requires user attention; and operating said
mechanical watering device.

80. The method of claim 48, further comprising receiving sensed
information from at least two sensors selected from the sensor group
consisting of: a moisture sensor for sensing moisture in said filter bed;
a level sensor for sensing a water level in said reservoir; a light
sensitive device for sensing a degree of ambient light in a space in
which said air purifier is placed; and a motion sensor for sensing motion
nearby to said air purifier; and responsive to at least one of said
sensors, performing at least three control functions selected from the
control function group consisting of: operating a LED grow lamp for
providing light to said at least one plant; operating said air propulsion
mechanism; applying ultraviolet to air flowing out of said filter bed,
for reducing mold and mildew; actuating a signal discernable by a user
when a condition exists which requires user attention; and operating said
mechanical watering device.

81. The method of claim 48, further comprising receiving sensed
information from: a moisture sensor for sensing moisture in said filter
bed; a level sensor for sensing a water level in said reservoir; a light
sensitive device for sensing a degree of ambient light in a space in
which said air purifier is placed; and a motion sensor for sensing motion
nearby to said air purifier; and responsive to said sensors: operating a
LED grow lamp for providing light to said at least one plant; operating
said air propulsion mechanism; applying ultraviolet to air flowing out of
said filter bed, for reducing mold and mildew; actuating a signal
discernable by a user when a condition exists which requires user
attention; and operating said mechanical watering device.

82. (canceled)

83. The method of claim 48, further comprising pumping some of said water
to a bottom of said filter bed and thereby watering said filter bed from
a bottom up in addition to said watering the filter bed from the top
down.

84. The method of claim 48, further comprising integrating said plant air
purifier into a ducting system of a habitable structure in which said air
purifier is placed.

85. (canceled)

86. (canceled)

87. The method of claim 48, further comprising: responsive to sensing
motion nearby to said air purifier, performing at least one control
function selected from the control function group consisting of:
operating a LED grow lamp for providing light to said at least one plant;
operating said air propulsion mechanism; applying ultraviolet to air
flowing out of said filter bed, for reducing mold and mildew; actuating a
signal discernable by a user when a condition exists which requires user
attention; and operating said mechanical watering device.

88. (canceled)

89. (canceled)

90. (canceled)

91. (canceled)

92. (canceled)

93. (canceled)

94. (canceled)

95. The plant air purifier of claim 1, said filter bed comprising a
surface which is horizontal within 20 degrees of a horizontal plane.

96. The method of claim 48, further comprising providing said filter bed
comprising a surface which is horizontal within 20 degrees of a
horizontal plane.

Description:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims benefit of provisional application U.S.
61/098,314 filed Sep. 19, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by
reference. This application also claims priority to, and is a
continuation-in-part of, application PCT/US09/56581 filed Sep. 11, 2009,
which is hereby incorporated by reference, and which in turn claims
benefit of said provisional application U.S. 61/098,314 filed Sep. 19,
2008.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Plant air purifiers have been on the market for almost twenty
years. While they successfully remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs),
they have largely not caught on in the consumer and commercial
marketplace. This is because they are not user friendly and require
constant daily care. Failure to provide such care can result in the
system quickly breaking down and the plant(s) therein dying in only a
matter of hours. For example, when a portable plant air purifier was
placed in a FEMA trailer, it lowered the formaldehyde level from 180 ppb
to 30 ppb in just a few days. But at the same time, because the
inhabitants of the trailer did not provide adequate water and light to
the plant, the plants within the purifier all but died. Thus, there
exists a real need to provide plant air purifier which are configured and
controlled for very easy maintenance, replacement, use, with minimal time
and attention required by the user.

[0003] When plants grow in the wild, nature attends to all their needs.
Further they do not grow in an artificial soil. They do not have great
volumes of air passing through the soil (as they do with a plant air
purifier which makes use of air passage through the soil as part of the
purification process), drying it out, and so do not require great volumes
of water each day to replenish the moisture lost. In order for a portable
plant air purifier to perform well it must have mechanisms that
automatically attend to the plant's needs with minimal user intervention,
or the plant within the plant air purifier cannot be expected to live
given the rapid diminishment of moisture resulting from air passing
through the soil. Without a living and healthy plant, plant air purifiers
cannot effectively be expected to continue to clean the air. Nor will the
microorganisms that live in the filter, which bio-regenerate the filter
and have a symbiotic relationship with the plants therein, thrive for any
length of time.

[0004] In addition, for the filter bed within a plant air purifier unit to
operate at its most effective level, it must be kept evenly saturated
whenever moisture levels drop. Otherwise the microorganisms which live
and thrive within that filter bed will not be able to travel throughout
that bed and the filter bed will not be bio-regenerated. Specifically, as
the filter bed fills with toxic material, it becomes less and less
effective and eventually has to be replaced. Lack of moisture within the
filter bed leads to eventual saturation of the filter bed with toxins and
if the filter bed is not then replaced it spews those toxins into the
air, adding further to poor indoor quality air, rather than providing a
cure. Further, without sufficient moisture, the filter bed's wet
scrubbing ability is greatly reduced and air purification suffers. The
moisture needs of plants and plant beds in a plant air purifier with air
forced through the soil greatly exceed those of natural or artificial
plants and plant beds, and must be properly accommodated by affirmative
measure.

[0005] Many plant air purifiers rely on wicking or capillary action, where
the filter bed wicks up moisture from below, to address the system's
moisture needs. Unfortunately, if a plant air purifier is operating on a
24/7 basis, capillary action is simply not fast enough or efficient
enough with most artificial or soilless growing matter in the filter bed
to attend to a plant air purifier's replenishing moisture needs. So,
either the unit must be disabled for quite a number of hours a day, or
another method of moisturization must be found, such as using micro
irrigation from above with a micro-irrigation system. Specifically, as
disclosed in the priority documents referenced above and incorporated
here by reference, top down micro irrigation greatly enhances the air
purification ability of a portable plant air purifier. Presently no
portable plant air purification system appears to use top down
micro-irrigation to take care of the plant's and the filter bed's needs.

[0006] As things stand now, most plant air purifiers are purchased by
people and organizations residing in heavily congested and polluted
environments. These urban purchasers are not used to taking care of
plants, and definitely not used to taking care of plants in a plant air
purifier which requires far more water than a normal plant would
require--as much as two quarts of water a day. Very few city dwellers
have what is known as a "green thumb." They are very liable to forget the
needs of their plants save when such attention is absolutely required and
this should not exceed more once a week. They need a plant air purifier
which, in effect, takes care of all the plant's needs on "auto-pilot."
Further, if people are placed in a stressful environment such as a FEMA
trailer referenced above, they barely can take care of themselves, let
alone take care of plants. Thus, many of the tasks required to take care
of a plant must be automated and the purifier which contains them must
have a reservoir sufficient to handle the watering needs of a plant for
an entire week. This means that the reservoir should have capacity for
three gallons of water, or more.

[0007] When, eventually, the water does run low, the user has to be
alerted immediately and the air moving mechanism needs to be
automatically disabled to conserve what little water remains in both the
filter bed and in the plant itself, and the air moving mechanism should
not be reactivated again until water in the reservoir is replenished.
Alerting the user that the unit needs water can be done with a buzzer, a
warning light, or both, or any signaling device known to someone of
ordinary skill which is discernable to the user's sensory perceptions.
But it is possible that the water might run low at night, in which case
one does not want the buzzer to sound and wake up the user. So when,
e.g., a moisture sensor within the reservoir or water level sensor in the
reservoir senses that the water is low, a light level sensor, e.g.,
photometer should determine if the room has adequate light, or a clock
should determine the time of day (and optionally day of the week) and
whether the time is suitable for sounding an alarm (with a suitable time
range preferably predetermined by the user). If it is not an appropriate
time to sound an audible alarm, only the warning light should go on. And
when there is adequate light in the room, say in the morning, or when a
suitable time is reached, than the buzzer can go on.

[0008] Secondly, in addition to water, the plant air purifier must be
capable of properly controlling the lighting requirements of the plant if
there is not sufficient ambient light available. Thus there needs to be a
grow light which goes on automatically at certain times of the day and/or
in response to light levels sensed (including certain required light
frequencies) if there is not sufficient light available.

[0009] In addition it is senseless to have the plant air purifier
operating when no one is in the environment where the purifier is
located. It should only operate when needed, and otherwise, it should
just grow the plant normally, without circulating air through the soil,
and with light provided in a more natural cycle. But this requires a
computerized control system with logic responsive to various sensory
devices and/or timers which enable the control system to determine how
the system should perform and activate and deactivate system components
accordingly. In other words what is needed is a sophisticated smart plant
air purifier. There is no such unit on the market today.

[0010] To be effective a plant air purifier should preferably be
programmed to deactivate the air propulsion mechanism for propelling air
through the filter bed (e.g., fan), when it on the verge of running out
of water. It should preferably have an alarm both visual and audio which
alert the user that more water is needed, if it does not have automatic
refill capabilities connected to an external water supply. It should
preferably be capable of providing light for the plant when and if it is
needed. It should preferably use little energy and have parts which are
easily replaceable. This includes easy insertion of new, mature,
ready-to-purify plants when the unit is first deployed, and easy
replacement of plants when a plan has died or when replacement is
required for some other reason. It should preferably be programmable
regarding when it is to operate and when not, and should preferably have
a back up battery in case power to the unit is interrupted so the
programmed settings are not erased. If it is not connected to an external
water supply, it should preferably have a reservoir capable of storing at
least a week's worth of water. As just noted, it is preferred to have a
replaceable plant pot (e.g., a pot or tray or chamber, etc.) so that in
case the plant or plants within need replacement a replacement plant in a
replacement grow pot can easily be inserted. Plus, the plant pot used in
the unit should preferably be one within which professional growers can
grow one or more plants. By having a plant or plants already grown in a
pot or tray which is actually used in the unit, the purchaser does not
have to transplant a plant into the pot himself. If the user has to
transplant a plant into the growing apparatus himself when he or she
first purchases the unit, the plant transplanted will undergo unusual
stress and it will require up to 6 weeks for it to fully acclimate.
During this time a significantly high percentage of the plants so
transplanted might well die, or at the very least the unit will not
operate at maximum efficiency.

[0011] Up to the present time, no known unit has been available which
attends to all these needs. Thus, the invention disclose herein is a
sophisticated and smart plant air purifier with a control system (e.g.,
printed circuit board assembly) and with many devices connected to the
control system, which meets all of the foregoing needs and others to be
discussed herein.

[0012] Dr. B. C. Wolverton in the early 1990's developed a portable plant
air purifier which used a hydro culture which cleaned the air with a
filter bed which trapped airborne contaminants using plants and microbes
therein. Both he and NASA used an induction fan to pull air through a
filter bed of various materials. Results of such air purification
cleaning are well documented. But little attention has been given to
making sure that the average user of such a system will systematically
provide the plants with just the right amount of water and light when
needed and if this is not done the plants within the plant air
purification unit will quickly die, thus severely limiting the plant air
purifier's capabilities. See, for example,

[0013] Wolverton's U.S. Pat. No. 6,230,437 shows a plant air purifier with
what appears to be a horizontal filter bed surface, an induction fan, an
adjustable grow light, a removable plant pot and a hat-like seal. Page 2,
line 30-33 states: "The shape of the seal is a flat ring whose inside
fits the outside of the planter. The later shape allows one to put the
seal on the top of the planter." But Wolverton's invention utilizes
bottom-up irrigation through wicking and capillary action, which is far
left effective than top down micro-irrigation. The lamp used by Wolverton
is hot and destroys toxic airborne microbes. A LED lamp is a cool light
with a temperature rarely higher than 90 degrees and would be much
preferred. Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,230,437 does not disclose,
suggest or motivate any sort of "smart" control system to engage in the
various functions discussed above to enable simple, automated operation
of a plant air purifier. While U.S. Pat. No. 6,230,437 has a replaceable
pot, it is disclosed, however, on page 4, line 55 that "[w]hen one wants
to replace the plant, the whole planter 1 is replaced." There is no
teaching, suggestion or motivation for a system wherein growers might
grow the original plant so that the plant becomes acclimated to a
soilless medium over many weeks or months in advance, and the plant can
be modularly inserted into a plant air purifier and placed into operation
immediately with far greater effectiveness. As noted already, failure to
have the plant growing for a period of time in the pot to be used within
the purifier, or having it transplanted into the purifier pot, can lead
in short order to plant stress and possibly plant death. Even if the
plant survives it will not operate optimally for quite some time.

[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 6,921,182 and pre-grant publication U.S.
2007/0058368, show lighting units which promote plant growth using LEDs
of different wave lengths in different configurations. But neither
discloses or suggests anything about LED grow lamps being used as part of
a plant air purifier. Nor is there any discussion of the use of timers
and how and when to use the lights. Rather, U.S. Pat. No. 6,921,182 talks
about the arrangement of the different wavelength lights to be used,
mentioning how in one case one unit has a first set of orange emitting
lights of about 612 nm and a set of red emitting lights with a peak
wavelength of about 660 nm, and then adding blue emitting lights. One
talks about having the lights use red emitting diodes between 600-700 nm
and the other having one or more blue LEDS having wavelengths of 400-520
nm within 1 to 10 inches from above the plant. The first makes use of
diodes having an angle of direction of the light at 15 and 30 degrees. Or
half the LEDS placed at double the angle of the other. The second uses
optics but must have a heat sink.

[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 5,407,470 has a plant air purifier which pulls air
down through a pipe, and has a sealed area so that air is expelled
through the filter bed of a removable plant pot using a substrata with
activated carbon in it. It also contains a statement that a water level
switch can be connected to a blower. In this way as the water level
decreases the output of the blower is increased [sic, should be
decreased] until the blower is completely stopped and the device acts as
a conventional hydro culture system." Applicant's invention, as will be
disclosed herein, shuts the fan off when the water content in the planter
goes below a certain point but also has a buzzer and/or a light or other
user-discernable signal that the water reservoir is low thus alerting the
owner that the plant air purifier system needs water replacement.

[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,923 uses a hot light bulb over which the air
passes in a plant air purifier to both "provide sufficient light for
plant growth and aesthetics through indirect lighting on the plant's
leaves." In the same patent it says that preferably the lights have a
significant thermal output so that a heated region around each light bulb
serves to significantly reduce any residual microbes. The light is
preferably an incandescent or a grow lamp shining upward onto the plant.
Passing air, preferably downward though such media and back into the air
under hot light bulbs destroys undesirable airborne mold spores (page 2,
lines 65-8). The light bulbs may also supply sufficient light for plant
growth and/or for aesthetics through indirect lighting of the plant
leaves (Page 3, lines 51-3). The container 2 is shown as having a bottom
clean air outlet chamber 12 within which is placed a fan 14, electrically
motor driven, and controlled by a timer (page 3, 54-57) (the timer does
not show in the figures). The light's radiation emissions, and a
combination of heat emitted by an incandescent bulb or any ultraviolet
light as may be emitted by the growth lamp, serves to significantly
reduce any residual microbes or spores emitted in the cleansed or
humidified air Applicant's invention, in contrast, utilizes LEDS which
have a relatively low heat level and in almost all cases does not make
use of an incandescent bulb which is inefficient. It also has a fan
controlled by a computerized control system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,923 does
not provide for the ability to differentiate between week days and
weekends of use. Plus it has an annular water reservoir chamber which is
approximately the lower half to two thirds of the plant growth pot which
decreases the frequency with which water must be added to the pot. This
patent deals with a portable plant air purifier where moisture is gotten
to the filter bed from the reservoir via capillary water flow therefrom.
The present invention uses a pump and than a micro irrigation system with
emitters that soak the filter bed from the top down.

[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,017 discloses with a plant air purifier with an
external and removable water reservoir which can be of any size. The
water reservoir bottle is such that it is easy to turn it over for
insertion into the planter. Water rises in the grow pot from the bottom
up through capillary action along with the suction of the root system.
The lamp utilized in this invention is to heat the air and cause the air
to rise. The invention disclosed here has an internal water reservoir,
and also uses a mechanical air propulsion mechanism rather than heat to
bring about air movement.

[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 6,727,091 discloses a plant wall where plants are
grown so that the plants grow up the wall and the roots are inserted into
a fibrous material. Water from a reservoir is pumped up a pipe and the
water system is designed to deliver water evenly across the width of the
matrix panel whereby water trickles down evenly over the entire matrix
panel. Basically the filter bed has its top near the ceiling and its
bottom near the floor. This is further verified by the fact that the
patent says "The plants should be such that they root evenly through the
matrix panel 32 and will support themselves physically with their roots
embedded in a near-vertical matrix panel." (Page 7, lines 18-21) Surely
this system could have more than 3 gallons of water in it. The filter bed
of U.S. Pat. No. 6,727,091 is not on a horizontal plane or close thereto.
Additionally, one would infer from FIG. 1 that the unit has a water
intake port which would be connected to the indoor plumbing. Makeup water
appears to be supplied through water intake port 42. (Page 6, lines
39-40) "Periodically the water in the tank should be drained off (drain
45) and replaced with clean water" (Page 6, lines 54-55). However, there
is no mention of automating the processes or of using a solenoid or a
computerized control system which is programmed to deal with certain
emergencies such as when water in the reservoir goes above a certain
level or when to automatically open the drain. Further some of the units
disclosed here are portable while in U.S. Pat. No. 6,727,091 they surely
are not: "The unit 20 is intended to be mounted on a wall of the room in
which the air is to be cleaned." (Page 6, lines 65-66). The
considerations required to effectively implement a portable system are
somewhat different than those for a permanent system.

[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 5,430,972 shows a plant growing apparatus which uses
a lamp and plant and "soilless" soil to clean air. The overhead lamp with
a post and hood uses a light, preferably a florescent light, so that a
minimum amount of light is automatically or at least easily available
(page 1, line 45). Light for the plant is provided by a lighting source
preferably in the form of a florescent bulb (page 3, line 3-5). The light
is supported by rods and the length of the rods may be adjusted as the
plant grows in height (page 7, lines 1-3). The light is mounted in a
hood. And, an integral annular inclined sidewall serves as a light shade
(page 5 line 65). The lower shade need not be used (page 6, line 30). The
unit does not have an induction fan but uses the heat of the light to
draw air upwards. Specifically on page 4 line 65 onward it says "The
evaporation of moisture from the top of the growing medium, the heat of
the lamp and the nature of the growing medium cause air and moisture to
rise through the growing medium and to be exhausted into the room." In
U.S. Pat. No. 5,430,972 as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,923, heat from the lamp
is being utilized to cause the air to rise. The present disclosure uses a
mechanical air moving device. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,923, an induction
fan is used and heat is used to kill off micro organisms. The present
disclosure uses a cool lamp which is far more efficient and which saves
markedly on energy and which is much more "plant friendly." In U.S. Pat.
No. 5,430,972, "[w]ater from the wet chamber is wicked upwards" (page 4,
line 22). Claim 1 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,430,972 recites one of its elements
being "a removable receptacle for holding the soilless medium and having
a mesh bottom through which roots may grow into the wet chamber to obtain
moisture and a dry compartment into which other roots are exposed to
air." The present disclosure does not utilize a wet and dry chamber.
Moisture is obtained through the micro irrigation system which flows down
through gravity through the filter bed in which the plant and its roots
are situated or in one embodiment has a micro irrigation system of
irrigation and a wicking up from water within the plant pot. In this
patent the preferred and illustrated bottle 18 provides enough moisture
for one week for most plants (page 5, lines 14-15). Preferably, a light
timer 66 is connected to an electric cord 68 for the light assembly and
is set to control the duration and the time at which the bulb 25 is
lighted (page 5, lines 16-19).

[0020] U.S. 2005/0186108 discloses a bio-air sterilization system using UV
light. Deactivation may be dependent on a prescheduled time by use of an
optional timer or an alternate method may be used (page 5, paragraph 51).
It also has a motion sensor to shut off the (second) UV light. This
publication is not for a plant air purifier.

[0021] U.S. Pat. No. 6,000,559 discloses a manner of mounting a circuit
board in a confined space and in particular in a portable air purifier
unit. However, no mention has been made of what functions the circuit
board is designed to control or what devices are attached to the circuit
board.

[0022] U.S. Pat. No. 6,616,736, in the abstract, appears to disclose a
portable air purifier where an air purifier (10) is provided having a
housing (11), having a grilled air inlet (12), a grilled air outlet (13)
and a controlled panel (14). The air purifier (10) also includes a pre
filter (16), a main filter (17), a blower (18) and a controller (19) all
mounted within the housing (11). The controller (19) has a central
processing unit having a permanent memory for storing the program
instructions for operations and control of the air purifier, a working
memory, and a non-volatile memory for the permanent storage of programs
and counters. Additionally, the program may include multiple days so that
different days have different scheduled programs or different groupings
of days such as the same set of programs for Monday through Friday and a
different set of programs for Saturdays and Sundays. (Page 2 lines 65-67
and Page 3, lines 1-2) This disclosure includes a controller, key pad and
programmable processing unit for an air purifier which performs a range
of different, but coordinated functions.

[0023] There appears to be no prior art where a photometer was used to
activate a grow lamp and surely not a grow lamp mounted on a plant air
purifier. No prior art is apparent in which a control system of any
sophistication is utilized in a plant air purifier.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0024] A plant air purifier with a control system (e.g., printed circuit
board assembly), a photometer, a micro irrigation system, an insertable
grow pot so growers can grow plants within that pot and simply insert it
into the unit. In addition the invention has a LED accessory grow lamp, a
warning signal, and automatic fan shut off if water in the reservoir gets
too low. The unit has a long term reservoir. It can run on DC current. It
has a backup battery and is programmable to allow the user to set the
times of operation by the hour or by the day. The plant air purifier is
portable in many embodiments. In other embodiments it is attached to the
water feed within the structure and the structure's plumbing system.

[0025] In particular, in a preferred embodiment, this invention is a plant
air purifier and associated method for purifying air, comprising: at
least one grow container; a filter bed comprising a surface which is
horizontal within 20 degrees of a horizontal plane; at least one plant
which grows within the filter bed; a reservoir for containing water for
watering the at least one plant; a mechanical watering device which
waters the filter bed from the top down; a pump for pumping water from
the reservoir to and through the mechanical watering device; and an air
propulsion mechanism for propelling air through the filter bed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0026] The features of the invention believed to be novel are set forth in
the appended claims. The invention, however, together with further
objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to
the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings summarized below:

[0027]FIG. 1 shows in side plan view, a first preferred embodiment of a
plant air purifier.

[0028]FIG. 2 illustrates a side plan view of a box which fits into an
outer housing of the plant air purifier.

[0036]FIG. 6B illustrates a top plan view of canopy wires in place and
canopy wire pegs inserted into canopy wire indentations.

[0037]FIG. 7 illustrates canopy wires with a ring on either end through
which canopy pegs are inserted.

[0038]FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the canopy wires.

[0039]FIG. 9A illustrates a back view of an air planter and another way
in which a LED grow lamp can be attached.

[0040]FIG. 9B illustrates a front view of the plant air purifier housing
including a reservoir alarm light.

[0041]FIG. 10 illustrates how the lamp configuration can include a bend
in the support arm.

[0042] FIG. 10A illustrates an underside view of the grow lamp head.

[0043]FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 1, but with the capability of being
attached to a water feed line in a habitable structure.

[0044]FIG. 12 illustrates another preferred embodiment of the plant air
purifier.

[0045]FIG. 13 illustrates a printed circuit board assembly, which is a
preferred, but not limiting, embodiment for a control system.

[0046]FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating the receipt of sensory
data, and the control of various system components, by the control
system.

[0047] FIG. 15 illustrates a high efficiency plant purifier placed in a
room.

[0048]FIG. 16 illustrates yet another alternative embodiment of the
invention in which the reservoir is a drop-in unit.

[0049] FIG. 17 illustrates a side view where a pre-manufactured outer
housing houses the drop-in reservoir and box.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] We shall now summarize several embodiments of the invention and
then review the figures in more detail. Many of the details of the
micro-irrigation system are already disclosed in the priority documents
earlier incorporated by reference.

[0051] LED grow lights. White light products produce a lot more energy
than plants can use. A typical white light product produces light
wavelengths from 380 nm (UV) up to and beyond 880 nm (IR). Plants, on the
other hand, primarily use light wavelengths from 400 nm (blue) to 700 nm
(red). This range of light wavelengths has been labeled PAR or Photo
synthetically Active Radiation. On average, nearly 82% of a traditional
white light product's light energy is of little benefit to plant growth,
and in most cases is harmful to plant health. In a typical HID, HPS, or
MH light bulb this harmful energy is in the form of intense heat (IR) and
ultraviolet radiation (UV) that cannot be seen but can certainly be felt.

[0052] Plants cast off white light for the most part. This is why the
leaves of most plants look green. Most of the white light is reflected by
the plant and not absorbed.

[0053] LEDS lights (light emitting diodes) are the best remedy to handle
lightning, particularly for plants in a plant air purifier. They save 80%
to 90% in energy consumption compared to fluorescent tubes, HPS or MHS.
95% lights of LEDs can be absorbed by plants, but only 10% by HPS or MHS.
They reduce grow room temperature, which is very important. High power
LEDs are estimated to last 50,000 hours. This equates to an expected bulb
life of 10-12 years of 24/7 operation. They need nearly no maintenance.
They also can provide wide angle projection which ensures uniform leaf
coverage.

[0054] With LEDs, the reflector is built right into the LEDs themselves,
so no secondary reflector is needed and almost all of the light generated
by the LEDs is directed straight at the plant. In fact they are so
effective that NASA is using them in space right now with great success.
LED lights produce very little heat. This means one can safely forgo
energy-consuming fans and other exotic cooling solutions to prevent leaf
burn.

[0055] LEDs typically require less than twenty volts at the bulb which
greatly reduces the risk of fire or injury, especially in wet growing
environments. In contrast, the high heat generated by a typical metal
halide or high pressure sodium lamp is more than enough to ignite nearby
combustible objects such as paper or cloth. In fact their reflectors
often get very hot as well and can cause severe burns if they are
accidentally touched. LED Grow Lights operate at just a few degrees above
room temperature in fact their operating temperature is less than fifteen
degrees above ambient temperature. Just slightly warm to the touch while
running, LED Grow Lights are safer to use around children and pets,
opening the door for classroom plant air purifiers. Further benefits are
as follows:

[0056] Light Weight--LED Grow Lights have no bulky reflector or heavy
ballast, and weigh only a few ounces. The ballast of a standard metallic
vapor lamp, on the other hand, can weigh up to fifty pounds requiring
special consideration.

[0057] Less Fragile--The glass bulbs of other plant lighting is very
fragile. LED plant lighting has no glass parts, and are much harder to
break.

[0058] Less Environmental Hazard--Metallic vapor and fluorescent lamps all
contain mercury, a heavy metal identified by the U.S. Government as
hazardous to the environment and our landfills. LED plant lighting
contains no mercury and represent an environmentally friendly lighting
choice.

[0059] Less Glare--LED plant lighting delivers light that is very bright
to plants, but relatively dim to people, thus eliminating glare.

[0060] Lower Chance of Heat Induced Root Damage--Plant roots don't like to
be hot, and potted plants left under a non LEDs light grow lamp are prone
to root damage where the light heats the surface of the pot. This danger
is accentuated in a plant air purifier because of the forced circulation
of air through the soil. LED grow lights operates at such a low
temperature that incidental root damage is unlikely.

[0061] Less Watering--Using LED grow light, a plants will transpire less,
letting one extend the time between watering cycles. This means plants
unattended for a few days will have a better chance of surviving if their
grow lights aren't drying them out.

[0062] Small and Light--Small and light weight, a LED light can be
positioned any way one prefers, ensuring all parts of the plants get the
maximum light they need.

[0063] The grow lamp in a preferred embodiment comprises a LEDs grow lamp
and because LEDs can be set to operate at a particular wavelength
frequency they can be set to operate at just the right frequency for the
plants to grow or spread out, so increasing their beauty. Because the
plants within the plant air purifier are for the most part plants
requiring low light, having grown up in the tropical rainforest where
little light is found, the intensity of light that they need is minimal,
usually about 100 to 150 light candles, which is about one-one hundredth
of the light coming from direct sunlight obtained when the sun is
directly overhead in the summer time. Most plants within a plant air
purifier prefer indirect sunlight and so LED lighting is ideal.

[0064] The grow lamp itself is either situated in the platform itself, in
the console of the unit, or is attached from the rear where it has an
extending arm so as to provide overhead lighting. The grow lamp itself
may not be necessary if the plant air purifier is placed where there is
more than adequate ambient light (including natural light), and even
overhead lighting found within a structure may well meet the plant's
requirements. But in inside offices, or in motel rooms where the heavy
drapes are drawn for days at a time, light is required and so the plant
air purifier of the present invention has a grow light accessory. Because
the grow lamp is connected with the printed circuit board assembly which
has a micro processor and timers and because a light sensor (e.g.,
photometer) is a part of the plant air purifier itself, the grow lamp can
automatically go on and off at certain hours of the day and/or if
adequate light is not available. This assures the plant has adequate
light. As mentioned previously, LEDs, which are preferred, are very long
lasting, consume little energy, and do not heat to a high temperature. In
fact LEDs do not usually reach a temperature above 90 degrees and so they
will not burn the leaves of the plant themselves, which allows them to be
placed quite close to the plant--within 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6
inches.

[0065] Grow pot or grow tray in which professional growers can grow plants
for the unit. The grow pot in which the plant and the filter bed are
situated is an integral part of the plant air purifier. But because the
growing medium used in the plant air purifier requires an artificial soil
which is much more porous than normal soil and because commercial growers
in the United States for the most part do not grow or ship plants in an
artificial soil with great porosity, present-day sellers of plant air
purifiers or the users themselves have to transplant plants from normal
soil into the grow pot or grow trays used in the plant air purifier. This
is a time-consuming process and one most users of plant air purifiers do
not want to deal with. In addition, plants, when they are transplanted,
go through a period of shock which inevitably results in a statistically
significant percentage of plants being killed. To eliminate this the
plant air purifier should utilize and readily mate with a grow pot or
tray which commercial growers can actually use to grow plants used in the
plant air purifier, and the plants should be shipped in such a pot. Thus
if a plant were to die when a user is using the plant air purifier, he or
she would not have to transplant another plant on their own but would be
able to simply purchase such a plant and tray which they can just
modularly insert into the unit. This invention makes use of an already
existing grower's plant pot or tray wherein certain novel and nonobvious
modifications of that plant pot allow it to function in the new version
of the plant air purifier. In other cases the manufacturer will supply
certain plant trays used in other models to the growers who will grow
plants in these trays specifically to be used in those models of the
plant air purifier. By having certain stores which handle plants and
pots, they will have a ready source of dealers who can sell the product
and also sell replacement plants and parts for the units which might wear
out.

[0066] Easy do it yourself replacement of parts. The present invention has
a number of different mechanical parts. These parts may eventually break
down. It is important to design the units so that replacement parts can
easily be substituted for the original when a breakdown occurs and the
purchaser of the unit should be able to replace the one part with another
on his or her own, thus eliminating the need to send the unit back to the
manufacturer or bring it to a repair center. With service calls running
as much as $60 an hour, the object is eliminate the need for the user to
have to send out the unit if a malfunction occurs. Thus the vast majority
of parts which could or might break down should be readily purchasable at
the store the product was first purchased, or over the internet, and
users should easily be able to substitute one component for the one that
has broken down. Since most of these devices can easily be obtained and
since the attachment to the printed circuit board assembly will be with a
pin attachment, the user will be able to be his or her own repair person,
if that is his or her choice.

[0067] DC current used wherever possible. This invention uses DC current
where ever possible. Why? Because the various components used can be
operated with less energy and because it is less dangerous. This is
especially important when water is involved. The unit itself has water
being sprayed via emitters or by means of a moisture collar placed on the
surface of the filter bed or just above. Water helps to conduct a current
far better than many other substances. Normal house current if one
utilizes alternating current in the United States is set at 110-120
volts. DC current needed to run the various components is at 6 volts, 12
volts or 24 volts, and can often be supplied by batteries. So the
operating savings will be dramatic and the chance of being electrocuted
much less likely. Because when low level DC current is used UL testing is
not often mandatory, this can reduce costs, making the product more
competitive.

[0068] Light meters, photometers and photodetectors. For the purposes of
this disclosure, we are using the terms "light meters," "photometers" and
"photodetectors" interchangeably. Earlier it was noted how a light
sensor, e.g., photometer may be utilized in conjunction with the alarm
whether the alarm should an audible alarm when water levels becomes low
in the long term reservoir. In that case the photometer determines
whether it is night or day. Thus, there is a sequence of conditions to
determine whether the grow lamp should go on or stay off depending on
whether there is enough light in the room when the plant within the
purifier is to receive light. If, for instance, the plant air purifier is
placed within a room which might be in, say, an inner office, and there
is no light on and the plant would normally receive light, then the
photometer determines the level of light in the room and if it is not
enough for the plant than the grow lamp goes on.

[0069] Interrelation of parts with a control system. Having a control
system, e.g., printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) in many products is
not unusual. But plant air purifiers have not made use of such a helpful
device. By not doing so, the consumer and commercial markets for these
devices has been severely limited, as noted earlier. Since plant air
purifiers have a number of specific needs which are not of concern for a
regular plant, and since a coordination of different components and
functions within the overall unit are essential, a PCBA is a very compact
inexpensive way to help make the unit more user friendly and so take care
of much of the drudgery that would otherwise be the case. Plus it can
alert the user to conditions which demand immediate attention and can
safeguard the purification system itself. Were the air propulsion
mechanism to continue to function when water was low in the reservoir,
for example, the plant within the unit would be killed in short order. By
using a PCBA, a sensor within the reservoir can send a signal to
components within the PCBA and the air moving mechanism can be disabled
until water in the reservoir is refilled. This is just one of many
functions which the PCBA makes easier to accomplish. Especially in a
portable plant air purifier where space is important. A PCBA is one of
the most effective ways to save on space and to connect various
components of the unit itself. Plus they can work together much more
effectively.

[0070] A large, automated reservoir that doesn't need a refill for at
least a week. Plant air purifiers require far more water than would any
normal plant. Their soil is far more porous. Vast quantities of air pass
through that soil and absorb moisture from the filter bed itself. A
portable plant air purifier often uses up to one or two quarts of water a
day, while a built in plant air purifier system can use far more. The
amount of water needed for a plant air purifier is far greater than the
average plant or body of plants placed in the same space and people
simply do not want to be spending every day replenishing the water supply
of a plant air purifier, manually, on a daily basis. In the event that an
owner or retailer of plant air purifiers has more than one unit, the time
necessary to attend to the daily watering needs of his plant air
purifiers can spell the difference between selling the product or not.
And, if the plant air purifier continues to run when it is low on water,
it will kill the plant in a matter of hours. For all of the above
reasons, a large reservoir is necessary so as to free the user of the
device from unwanted and tedious labor. This invention has a reservoir
large enough to supply the unit with at least a week's worth of water.
Assuming that the unit were to run 24/7 and assuming that it used two
quarts of water a day, a week's supply of water would need a minimum of
31/2 gallons. This invention has a reservoir of that size and in some
cases larger.

[0071] Other features. Because of the weight of the planter when fully
operational, with the water reservoir and the filter bed, plant and
mechanical mechanism, the planter will need casters or wheels, or to be
on a device with casters or wheels. Additionally, an optional locking
device may be helpful so the portable plant air purifier does not move.
Water weighs around 8.345 lbs per gallon. Therefore 5 gallons would weigh
about 41.725 lbs. The plant material even in the smaller units would
weigh at least 10 lbs. For ease of cleaning of the area around the unit,
casters or some other mechanism are added for moving the present
invention. Plus there are other features which are shown in the figures
themselves.

[0072] All of the foregoing will now be described in more detail with
reference to the various drawings:

[0073]FIG. 1 shows a first preferred embodiment of the plant air purifier
100. In this front side cross-sectional view we see that there is a
reservoir 101. The reservoir is part of a container 139. The reservoir is
formed by two interior ridges 103 in a lower part of the container. A
reservoir lid 102 is snapped in between the two interior ridges 103 in
the lid of the housing. The lid itself has an opening 104 for a conduit
105 which leads to a water reservoir refill opening 106 in a box 107
which has a cap 108 over the opening shown on the top left hand side of
FIG. 1. There are two more openings in the lid 102: one an opening 109
for a water feed 110 which leads to a pump 111 which pumps water from the
reservoir 101 to sprinklers 112 mounted on stakes 140. For illustration,
not limitation, two sprinklers 112 are shown. The sprinklers 112 are
attached to sprinkler water feeds 130. The sprinklers saturate the filter
bed 113 in the growth pot 114 where a plant 115 and microbes 116 grow,
and there is an inner cavity opening 117 for a return drain 118 from the
hollow chamber 119 below the growth pot 114 where excess water falls to
where it then goes down a drain 118 situated at the bottom of the hollow
chamber, and then returns back into the reservoir 101 for reuse. In this
figure the reservoir utilizes part of the watertight container for
storing water but it just as easily could have utilized a drop in
reservoir which would have simply resided in the bottom of the outer
housing itself. At the bottom or close to the bottom of the reservoir is
a petcock 120 which allows the reservoir to be drained. However, a siphon
tube could be dropped down the water refill pipe 105 and water could be
siphoned out of the reservoir in that manner as well. When water gets too
low in the reservoir a water level sensor or moisture sensor 137 sends a
signal to the control system, e.g., printed circuit board.

[0074] Looking now at the top of FIG. 1, one can see how the unit is able
to purify the air. Poor indoor quality air is pulled in from the top of
the unit on the right side though vents 121 and an opening. It is
understood that this air intake opening could be placed elsewhere on the
unit itself whether on the side or even from the bottom if the overall
unit were slightly raised by means of feet or casters. In this
illustration air enters through vents which pull the air in from the top
right side. The air passes down an air intake channel 122 where there is
a UV light 123 which kills a good portion of the living contaminants
found in the air. The impure air 131 is pulled in by means of an air
movement mechanical device 124, in this case an induction fan. The
induction fan can be situated close to the top of the unit or down almost
at the bottom of the channel which leads to the hollow chamber 119 just
below the growth pot 114. The air exits by passing through the filter bed
113, passing by the roots 125 of the plant and passing by the leaves 126
of the plant itself where it picks up whatever plant volatiles and other
negative ions 127 are generated by the plant itself, leaving the user
with purified air 132. While the air could as easily be pulled down
through the filter bed and then exhausted out past the UV light, that
would result in the plant volatiles being pulled down through the filter
bed as well which might limit effectiveness. The filter bed is contained
within a removable growth pot 114 which has a bottom which easily allows
air to pass between the pot and the hollow chamber below it as well to
allow excess water within the growth pot to drop down into the hollow
chamber below it, see 211 in FIG. 2. The growth pot rests in a hole in
the box 107 which fits snugly in the top of the outer container. The grow
pot or grow container 114 rests on a skeletal frame 136 and helps to
support the grow container and its contents. There is an additional
skeletal frame 135 which supports other components placed in the outer
container. The box also holds a control panel 128 which, for example,
sets when the sprinklers 112 should go on and off, how many hours each
day of the week the air purifier 100 should operate and from what time to
what time each day it will perform, and other control parameters to be
elaborated in more detail below. Box 107 holds a hollow chamber 119 below
the removable growth pot 114, and the fan 124 or fans which pull the air
into the system as well as the UV light 123 and the air induction channel
122. The control panel 128 is attached to a computerized control system
129, e.g., a printed circuit board assembly also known as a PCBA, though
some people refer to it simply as a PCB, with timers which regulate how
often the emitters 112 go on and connect the operating mechanism of the
unit. 130 is the sprinkler water feed which is a tube or tubes connecting
the sprinkler, a type of emitter, to the water pump 111 which is
activated when the filter bed moisture sensor 138 indicates moisture
levels within the filter bed are too low. Because of the weight of the
unit when filled casters 141 for rolling or moving the invention are
employed. Of course any other mechanism which would help it to slide
rather than roll are included.

[0075]FIG. 2 is a side plan view of the box 107 which fits into the outer
housing of the plant air purifier. Here it is easier to see the
components of box 107. In the center there is a hollow cavity 201 into
which fits the growth pot 114 with tiny holes 211 in its bottom. The
growth pot only drops a predetermined depth into this cavity where it
rests on a ledge or rim 202. The chamber itself is deeper than the growth
pot and so there is an empty space 119 below where the growth pot rests,
see FIG. 1. By the side of the inner cavity 201 of the box is the air
intake channel 122 wherein is situated UV light 123. Above the air intake
channel is a vent(s) 121. A fan or blower 124 is situated so as to draw
air in through the air intake vent 121 or propel air out of this channel.
On the top of the box is the control panel 128. At the bottom of the
inner cavity 201 of the box is a drain hole 203 through which water
returns to the reservoir 101 of FIG. 1. On the left side of this figure
is a hole 204 for the water refill pipe 105 shown in FIG. 1 which allows
the user to refill the reservoir. Around the outer cavity is a lip 205.
The lip makes contact with the lid of the outer housing as shown in FIG.
1 or can fit over the upper edge of the outer housing itself.

[0076] The grow pot and hollow cavity. One variation within the inner box
is to have the grow pot fit down into the inner cavity only to a
predetermined depth, as shown in FIG. 1. This leaves a hollow cavity
below the grow pot wherein the air rushes in through the induction
chamber 122 passes the induction fan 124 and then moves into the hollow
cavity 119 and up through the porous openings (drainage holes) 226 in the
grow pot 114. But as mentioned previously this will require a support 136
within the hollow inner cavity as the pot, soil, moisture and grow pot
may weigh as much as 20 pounds.

[0077] The preferred embodiment of the grow pot is shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B &
2C. Here we have a grow pot 114 deeper than in FIG. 1 so that the grow
pot's bottom 209 actually slip down and makes contact with the bottom 210
of the hollow cavity in FIG. 2c. The grow pot has drainage holes in its
bottom 211. A plastic insertion grid 212 is placed inside the grow pot
with stilt like supports 213 so as to create a hollow chamber 214 in the
bottom of the grow pot below where the filter bed 113 and plant 115 rest
on the top of the grid 215. The grow pot has air slits or air holes 216
cut into the grow pot's sides below the top surface of the grid. Impure
air is pulled down into the bottom of the grow pot through the air vents
in its sides. Then it passes up from below the grid, through the filter
bed and out. It can of course move in an opposite direction through the
filter bed first, than exit through what previously was described as the
entrance chamber but now becomes the exhaust chamber 122, and out the
vent 121 passing by the UV light 123. The originally-described air flow
direction 217 is designated by the arrows in 2C.

[0078] In the preferred embodiment of the grow pot the pot itself is
corrugated 220 so as to give added strength and thus allow it to be made
out of a thinner material, thereby increasing porosity and thus airflow
if a semi-permeable fibrous material is used. Meanwhile there is a lip
223 which extends out beyond the corrugation and then the pot continues
upward approximately one inch higher, by the pot burgeoning out and
providing an airtight seal 224 which is created between the inner
diameter of the inner cavity of the box, and the grow pot, as shown in
FIG. 2c. This assures that all air moved by the induction fan will enter
the grow pot and pass through the filter bed therein, rather than pass
through gaps between box and grow pot. Because of the weight of the
moisture laden filter bed material and of the plant within the grow pot
and because of the tapered inner cavity, this is a preferred method of
creating an airtight seal, rather than have a seal on top as shown in
FIG. 5B.

[0079] The grow pot also has a top extension 221 above the box top surface
so that one can grab the grow pot with thumb and figures and lift it out
of the inner cavity in the box or place it into the inner cavity with
relative ease. In that way there is no need for handles to be made on the
grow pots or for holes to be made in the grow pot itself wherein
removable handles would be inserted. Once the grow pot is removed from
the inner cavity of the box there is now ample gripping space to hold
onto the grow pot by simply placing one's finger's below the lip and
around the sides of the upper part of the pot so that one can carry it
for quite a distance if necessary. A pot of just such a nature as
described is now produced by Nursery Supplies, Inc. and is called the
Adapter model, except that the cut outs on that model's sides extend all
the way up from the bottom to one inch from the top of the pot.

[0080]FIG. 2A shows a top down view of the grow pot with the grid 212
inserted therein. As one can see the grid conforms to the interior
corrugations 222 of the plant pot. In FIG. 2A one can see the extension
of the lip 223 which creates the air tight seal 224 when it is wedged
firmly against the inner diameter of the inner cavity of the box. 225 is
the point where the outer diameter of the grow pot and the inner diameter
of the inner cavity of the box meet. Within the grow pot is placed the
grid 212 which has holes 226 through which both air and water can pass.

[0081]FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the exterior of the box. Here we
see the upper lip 205 of the box on which are situated the air intake
vent 121, the control panel 128, the reservoir refill cap 108 and two
stake holes 301 wherein the stakes which are attached to the sprinkler
emitters rest when they are not driven into the filter bed of the plant
pot itself. Also illustrated are visual display 302 and key pad 303.

[0082]FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the exterior of the box, the same
as in FIG. 3. However, on the upper lip of the box are placed lights 401
which shine up from below and bathe the plant and its foliage in a soft
glow while at the same time providing the plant with the necessary light
for growth and health. The bulbs themselves are LED grow bulbs and help
the plants to thrive, being ideal for chlorophyll production. Plus they
are better for the environment and save 50% to 90% on energy consumption
compared to incandescent or florescent tubes. They have no ballast like
other plant lights and emit less heat which results in better protection
to the plant(s), while at the same time they do not emit infrared rays
and ultraviolet radiation which is harmful to plants. These lights are or
can be connected with control panel 128 and the computerized control
system so they function so many hours a day and at a specific time or
they can be attached to a small light meter 402 which measures the amount
of light the plant has received within the past twenty four hours and
makes up the difference automatically so as to meet the plant's minimum
or optimum light requirements. This last feature is ideal when the plant
air purifier is placed in a dark room where the curtains are drawn and
kept closed, often for days at a time, so as to save on heat in the
winter time in an unoccupied motel room in a northerly climate, or to
prevent excessive and harsh sunlight from entering in more southerly
climes so as to keep the room cooler in summer. The lights themselves may
be equipped with hoods 403 and may swivel so as to shine growth light
just where needed so as to allow for more even growth. Some of the lights
stationed on the lip may be mood lights 406 and not growth lights if
desired and may even be installed with different colored bulbs for a
different effect.

[0083]FIG. 4A illustrates a top view of the sprinklers 112 when the
stakes are driven down into the filter bed 113 close to the lip edge 407
of the growth pot 114 and parallel with the stake holes 301 in the box.
Emanating from the sprinklers 112 are the water flow paths 408 from the
sprinklers themselves. Their trajectories overlap as can be easily seen.
The sprinklers have a great many holes through which water is projected
out and the two sprinklers will more than sufficiently cover and saturate
the surface area of the filter bed with moisture. For the sake of this
disclosure the terms sprinklers, sprayers and bubblers and other similar
emitters are being used interchangeably.

[0084] FIGS. 5A & 5B illustrate another top view of the invention, showing
the rim of the grow pot 501, the rim of the inner cavity of the box 502
and the upper face of the box. Indentations made in the upper face of the
box 504 are placed in the upper face of that box so that an air sealing
lid 508 with projections on its underside may snap into the upper face of
the box and secure it. Holes within the grow pot 505 are used to insert
prongs or lifting handles (not shown) so that the grow pot may be lifted
out of the inner cavity. These must be covered over as well so air will
not go through them rather than pass through the filter bed. They are
covered over by the inner collar 510 of lid 508. Were a lid not placed
over where it is so situated, air would travel up from 119, the empty
space below where the grow pot is situated in the inner cavity of the
box, and take the path of least resistance, namely the space between the
inner diameter of the inner cavity and the outer circumference of the
grow pot, and would move through this space rather than move through the
filter bed of the growth pot 113.

[0085]FIG. 5C illustrates a snap in plastic unit 512 which could just
cover the lifting holes 505. This snap in unit has two plugs 513 which
fit into the holes themselves.

[0086]FIG. 6A illustrates a top down view specifically showing the canopy
wire peg holes 601 which are just beyond the air lid 508. The air lid is
placed over the upper lip of the box. Canopy wire peg holes are to be
placed in the upper lip of the box and the pegs 603 placed within them
will secure the canopy wires 602 on which the leaves and branches or
vines of some of the plants growing within the plant pot would rest. Were
such canopy wires not placed just over the filter bed, parts of growing
plants within the plant pot might rest on the filter bed surface 113 and
so obstruct the emitter water streams which came off the sprinklers 112
which saturate the filter bed 113 and provide it and the plants and
microbes within the filter bed with necessary moisture. 130 is the water
tube which leads to the sprinkler and 137 is where there is an
indentation for the stake which holds the sprinkler when the sprinkler is
removed from the filter bed.

[0087]FIG. 6B illustrates a top plan view with the canopy wires 602 in
place and the canopy wire pegs 603 inserted into the canopy wire
indentations 601 shown in FIG. 6A.

[0088]FIG. 7 illustrates how the canopy wires 602 have a ring 702 on
either end through which the canopy pegs 603 are inserted. The pegs have
lips 704 that extend out from the main body of the peg so that the canopy
wire rings will not easily slip over them and become loose. Plus they
often have a sharp point 703 which adds to the ease of inserting them in
the canopy wire indentations 601 of FIG. 6A.

[0089]FIG. 8 illustrates another alternative for the canopy wires. Here
is a simple plastic strip 801 with two holes 802 within it through which
the pegs are inserted.

[0090]FIG. 9A illustrates a back view of the air planter and another way
in which a LED grow lamp can be attached to the device. A nesting place
for a grow lamp is molded into the rear side of the outer exterior of the
housing 901. It does not have to be molded in, but can just be attached
when and if a back grow lamp 900 is to be used. By having a detachable
bracket which is used only when needed the rear exterior of the plant air
purifier is not marred. This is especially important from an aesthetic
point of view when the portable plant air purifier is placed in the
center of a room where it can be viewed from all angles. Attached to this
bracket or well insert is a grow lamp pole 902 which has a telescopic arm
903. The telescopic arm allows for the grow lamp to be raised or lowered
to just the right height for the particular plant within the grow pot so
that the plant receives the best exposure. The grow lamp may well have a
hood 905 and a LEDs light 906 or a number of LEDs. A hood is, however,
unnecessary when LED lighting is used.

[0091] From the back of the plant housing is a socket for the lamp to be
attached to power 908, as well as another socket which gives power to the
plant air purifier 907 from an outlet in the structure. The plant air
purifier operates on low safe voltage of 12 volt current or 24 volt and
so is both more energy efficient and safer. This also results in the unit
not having to be UL tested and approved. There is also a battery backup
909 so that settings on the computer or relay will not be lost when the
plug connecting the unit to current within the structure is lost. All
inlets can be covered over with caps so that the appearance of the
planter is not marred when any of these outlets is not needed or used.

[0092]FIG. 9B illustrates a front view of the plant air purifier housing
where is shown the reservoir alarm light 910 which activates when the
level of water in the water reservoir drops below a certain point. This
is activated by a moisture sensor located in the water reservoir or by a
water level sensor 137 also located in the water reservoir. There is also
an audible signal 911 (e.g., alarm buzzer) which also goes off when the
water level in the reservoir falls below a certain point. This buzzer,
however, will not go off as long as the photometer or light sensitive
device shows that it is dark in the area in which the planter is located
and/or as long as it is during a predetermined time period of the day
(e.g., before a certain time in the morning set by the user). There is
also a speaker(s) 912 which is attached to a sound module located on the
circuit board assembly for the audible alarm, or a separate device not
located on the printed circuit board assembly Also shown is a motion
sensor 914 which can be used to turn off the induction fan if there is
not sufficient movement in the room after a certain period of time. The
motion sensor is also attached the printed circuit board assembly. By the
same token if the induction fan is off and if water is not too low in the
reservoir a signal from the motion sensor can activate the induction fan
as well.

[0093]FIG. 10 illustrates how the lamp can have a bend in the support arm
1001. This allows the upper part of the arm 1002 to be extended or
contracted so that the lamp itself can be positioned just over the center
of the plant and so light will bathe the plant evenly. Not having light
from a lamp bathe a plant from directly overhead can cause the plant to
lean in the direction from which the light is coming and so cause uneven
growth. An overhead light is especially important when light is coming
from only one source. By having light come from directly overhead the
plant will grow straight and tall.

[0094] FIG. 10A illustrates a view from underneath the grow lamp head
1003. A plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 906 are used as the
illumination. These provide cooler light and a much longer life. Plus
they take far less energy than ordinary light bulbs.

[0095]FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 1, except that this unit has the
capability of being attached to a water feed line 1119 from the structure
itself much like a drinking fountain in a building. There is a float
switch or sensor 1121 which shuts off the water entering the reservoir
101 when it is detected to reach a certain level in the reservoir 1122.
There is a solenoid 1120 which turns on the water feed when water falls
below a certain level 1123 in the reservoir as triggered by either a low
level water float switch or low level moisture sensor 1124, and there is
a drain 1125 into the building which allows for water in the reservoir to
drain down into the sewer through the building's indoor plumbing. There
is a drain solenoid valve 1126 which opens and allows water to drain out
if water gets too high within the reservoir 1127 or if a person presses a
drain switch on the control panel 128. As mentioned previously the
sprinklers and induction fan are controlled by a computerized control
system 129 (such as a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) with a micro
processor) and a timer 1112 which runs the induction fan and the
sprinkler When the sprinklers are operating and while water is draining
down through the filter bed the induction fan is turned off. This prevent
excess water from being propelled into the air. When water runs low in
the reservoir the induction fans are turned off, so that the rate of
water usage diminishes and the plant and microbes are not endangered by a
dried filter bed. Further, both a light 910 and buzzer 911 alert the user
to the fact that the plant air purifier needs additional water. There is
a control panel 128 with a keyboard 303 and visual display 302 where the
user can set the times each day when the air purification system is to be
operating.

[0096]FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment of a plant air purifier.
Illustrated here is a grow pot 114 supported within an outer container
139. The lower part of the outer container serves as a reservoir 101.
Within the reservoir is a submersible pump 1209. Also partially submerged
within the reservoir is the grow pot which has holes in the bottom 211
and air water slits 1201 along its sides. Both allow water to enter the
grow pot if the water line 1202 is higher than where the holes or any
part of the slits are located. If the water line is lower than either,
then water can drain back into the reservoir through these very same
openings were water to enter the grow pot from above. If the water line
in the reservoir is lower than either the holes in the grow pot or any
part of the air water slits in the side of the grow pot, than air can
enter or exit through these same openings.

[0097] Within the grow pot is a filter bed 113 in which is grown a plant
115 and where microbes reside. When the water level in the reservoir is
higher than where these holes or slits are located water having entered
the grow pot through them will wick up through the filter bed and moisten
the filter bed via capillary action.

[0098] The grow pot has a lip 223 which fits snugly against the upper edge
of the outer container. This creates an air tight seal 224. Attached to
the inside of the outer container 139 is an air propulsion mechanism 124
(e.g., fan) which either pushes air into the plant air purifier or draws
it out. The air propulsion mechanism is placed well above the water level
1202 within the reservoir. Poor quality air 131 from outside the plant
air purifier is either drawn down through the filter bed 113 and then
pulled out of the air water slits 1201 in the grow pot above the water
line 1202 where it is pulled out of the plant air purifier by the air
movement mechanism 124 and exhausted out from the sides of the outer
container as purified air 132, or vice versa, depending on whether the
air propulsion mechanism is acting as a blower or an induction mechanism.

[0099] On the surface of the filter bed or just above it is a moisture
ring 1203 which fits around the stem of the plant or plants which grow in
the center of the filter bed. This ring may be little more than a length
of tubing connected to a "T" 1204. The tubing of the moisture ring has
perforations 1205 so that water from the reservoir, which enters the T
via a water pipe 110 connected to the lower opening in the T can exit.
This water pipe connected to the lower opening in the T extends down into
the reservoir 101 from above.

[0100] In this embodiment of the invention, the water pipe extends down
through the grow pot and into the reservoir itself where it connects to
the submersible pump 1209. When the pump is operating water exits through
the openings 1205 in the moisture ring 1203 and so bathes the filter bed
113 from above, where the moisture ring is located.

[0101] As long as the water level in the reservoir is above the holes in
the bottom of the grow pot water will moisten the filter bed both from
below and from above. Once water drops down in the reservoir to a point
where it is below the holes in the bottom of the grow pot, water will
only saturate the filter bed from above, and it will continue to be able
to do so just so as long as there is any water in the reservoir. By
controlling this upper level, one can determine whether the irrigation is
top-down only, or is both top-down and bottom-up.

[0102] A water gauge 1208 extends out from either the side, front or back
of the plant air purifier. This gauge may be a simple piece of clear or
opaque L shaped plastic tubing. It extends out parallel to the base of
the outer container and then extends upwards. Water from the reservoir
enters the gauge and will rise to a level equal to the waterline within
the reservoir. By looking at the gauge the operator of the plant air
purifier will know when refilling of the reservoir becomes necessary. The
water gauge can have lines drawn on it so that the operator of this
device knows whether the filter bed is receiving moisture from both above
and below or only from top down action. If water levels exceed the top of
the water gauge water will flow out from the top of the gauge so as to
alert the operator that he is putting in too much water and this safety
valve will prevent damage to the air movement mechanism or any electrical
connections. Failure to refill the reservoir when necessary will result
in the death of the plant in short order for were the reservoir to run
dry and were the air movement mechanism 124 to continue to run it would
draw moisture from the filter bed and the roots of the plant if the
humidity level of the air in the room in which the plant air purifier
were placed was less than the moisture level in the filter bed itself.

[0103] This device is a basic model and has no bells or alarms to notify
the operator when the reservoir is empty, nor does the air movement
mechanism automatically shut off when water in the reservoir runs low.
This model has no grow light, and no computerized control system, though
all these things could be added if desired.

[0104] Water to fill the plant air purifier is poured directly through the
filter bed in a top down direction in the way one would normally water a
plant whereupon it drains through the filter bed into the reservoir
below. The reservoir is large enough that it does not have to be refilled
more than once a week were it to operate 24/7.

[0105] Because most plant air purifiers know in the art are bottom-up, it
is important to briefly summarize why top-down micro-irrigation is
desirable. Some of this is already disclosed in the priority documents
referenced above.

[0106] If one uses top down irrigation, the excess water can pass out from
the filter bed due to gravity. Then since there is no water stopping air
flow from the bottom as there is for the vast majority of plant air
purifier which rely on bottom-up wicking action, the air which is
purified can move from the top of the filter bed, completely down through
that bed, out the other end. But if there is water at the bottom then
water cannot go down completely through the filter bed. It is as if there
is a water wall at the bottom and the air has to go out the sides. This
diminished the rate at which air can be purified. Meanwhile, the higher
the opening in the sides, the less of the filter bed is being used for
air purification. So if the filter bed is six inches deep and a foot
square, then half a cubic foot of filter bed is being used. But, if water
is going up 4 inches in the filter bed from the bottom and there are only
two inches of filter bed with air and if the air holes in the side are
one inch from the top, one is left with only one sixth of the filter bed
being used for air purification. For, when the air goes down, it will
only descend to the height of the air holes from the surface. But, with
the use of top down irrigation, one uses the entire filter bed since the
air comes in at the top across the whole surface of the filter bed and
leaves the whole filter bed from the bottom of the filter bed equally.
Then, as discussed at length in the priority document, the use of a micro
irrigation system provides even saturation, maximizing microbial
transport, to prove optimum system performance.

[0107]FIG. 13 lustrates a printed circuit board assembly 129 with a micro
processor chip, resistors, capacitors, relays, crystal oscillators, A to
D convertors, a photometer diode 1301, and various input sensors. This
circuit board is connected with the moisture sensor, the light meter, the
LED grow lamp, the water pump and the sprinkler system and embodies the
computerized control system which regulates the functions of these
various components of the plant air purifier. This same PCBA has a
conformal coating 1303 to protect against moisture. Various of the
elements on the board have pin attachments 1304 for easy coupling of
certain components so that if any component needs replacement it can
simply be detached and a new one attached in its place, thus eliminating
costly shipping and repair expense to the consumer since he can now
perform the replacement function himself.

[0108]FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating various of the components
which are part of the portable plant air purifier in its various forms
which are controlled by and/or provide information to the printed circuit
board assembly 129. This PCBA helps the plant air purifier to function.
It provides the sequencing of these functions and allows for the
interrelationship of one component of the plant air purifier with
another.

[0109] For instance, it is desirable that if the moisture sensor 138 in
the filter bed signals that there is less than 50% (or some other
predetermined percentage between 1% and 70% by increments of 1%) of
moisture in the filter bed, then the air movement mechanism 124, e.g.,
induction fan, is shut off and the water pump 111 is activated which
pumps water through the emitters in the micro irrigation system and
saturates the filter bed. When the moisture sensor shows 50% moisture or
greater (or some other predetermined percentage between 30% and 100% by
increments of 1%) in the filter bed and the water pump is running, the
pump shuts off and a few (e.g. one or two or three or four or five)
minutes thereafter the induction fan goes back on. This delay provided
more than enough time for the excess water in the filter bed to drain
into the hollow cavity below the filter bed and travel down the drain to
return to the reservoir, thus preventing the excess water from being
sucked up by the induction fan and spewed out into the atmosphere.

[0110] This same PCBA has internal timers within it which allow for the
photometer 402 to measure the amount of light in the room in which the
plant air purifier is located and to activate the grow light, 401/900, if
light is not sufficient within the room at a particular time. By the same
token the control system has the capability of turning off the grow lamp
if it is on at 59 minutes after the hour and then as the next hour (at
some other predetermined time sequence) strikes to repeat the process and
if there not adequate light for the plant at that time and more light is
needed, then the grow lamp is activated again.

[0111] Now there are many functions which the computerized control system
is designed to help regulate and so the following devices are attached
thereto: the alarm light 910, the alarm buzzer 911, the LEDs 406, the
filter bed moisture sensor 138, the control panel 128, the key pad 303,
the visual display 302, the UV light 123, the air mover mechanism 124,
the LED grow lamp for overhead lighting 900 and/or the LED grow lights on
the top surface of the unit which points up at the leaves 401, the backup
battery 909, the reservoir water level sensor 137, the reservoir moisture
sensor 1114, the water pump 111 or 1209 attached to the micro irrigation
system, the photometer 402, the solenoid which opens a water feed from
the structure in which the plant air purifier is placed 1120, the
solenoid or drain valve which opens up the drain so water within the
reservoir can run into the structure's plumbing 1126, and the motion
sensor 914, for example, not limitation. By having such computerized
control system, many functions of the plant air purifier can run
automatically. This not only lessen the amount of work the user of the
system has to do, but it ensures the health and longevity of the plants
and the microbes and maximized the air purification efficiency of the
unit.

[0112] Among the many operational aspect of the invention which are
controlled by the control system embodied, for example, in the PCBA, are
the following: [0113] The ability to program what time of the day for
the blower or air movement mechanism to start up. [0114] The ability to
program what time of the day for the blower or air movement mechanism to
shut down. [0115] The capability of start up and shut down for various
components to go into effect based on day of the week, holidays, etc.
[0116] Turning off the fan when water in the reservoir gets too low.
[0117] Turning off the fan when the sprinkler system is on. [0118]
Turning off the fan for a designated period after the sprinkler has been
functioning so excess water has time to run through the filter bed and
down the drain. [0119] Turning on the fan after a designated period of
time after the sprinkler has stopped assuming that is during a time
period when the fan and air purifier should be operating. [0120]
Activating an alarm when water is below a certain point in the water
reservoir providing that time when it occurs is not when it is dark in
the room or when it is not before a certain time of the day, for example.
These settings are programmable, so could be varied at will. [0121]
Activating a sound alarm when the time when it would have sounded was too
early according to the program and now the time is reached, if water is
still below a certain point in the water reservoir. [0122] Turning off a
sound alarm which is going when water reaches a point in the reservoir
above a certain point. [0123] Turning on a visual warning light when
water goes below a certain height in the reservoir. [0124] Turning off a
visual warning light which has been on when water in the reservoir
reaches a certain point. [0125] Turning on (or off) a grow lamp when a
certain time is reached and when light in the room is darker than a
certain level. [0126] Turning off a grow lamp when a certain time is
reached and the grow lamp is on. [0127] Turning on the fan mechanism when
there is motion in a room. [0128] Turning on the sprinkler system when
water in the filter bed drops below a certain level. [0129] Turning off
the sprinkler system when the moisture level in the filter bed rises
above a certain level. [0130] Programming the different times and
schedules for different operations. [0131] Allowing water to enter the
water reservoir from an in house feed when water drops below a certain
level in that reservoir and after water has had time to drain down
through the filter bed after the sprinkler system has gone off. [0132]
Opening and closing the solenoid which allows water to enter the water
reservoir. [0133] Opening and closing the solenoid valve which allows
water in the reservoir to drain away. [0134] Activating the visual
display. [0135] Overriding any programs. [0136] Activating the backup
battery when the in house current is disconnected so as to save the
settings.

[0137] FIG. 15 illustrates a high efficiency plant purifier 1401 placed in
a room 1501 in which all stale and contaminated air 131 from the entire
structure is directed via ducts and registers 1502 into the area within
the structure where the plant air purifier is found. The impure air is
pulled down into the filter bed in which the plants grow, and the
purified air 132 is than ducted via a fresh air duct 1503 out of the room
into the HVAC system 1504 of the building itself, where it then
re-circulates throughout the building.

[0138]FIG. 16 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention. In
this case the reservoir is a drop-in unit 1601 dropped into an outer
shell as opposed to it being part of the outer housing 139. The water
pump 111 is placed on top of the reservoir and like what is shown in FIG.
2 the box 107 is a drop in unit as well which contains the grow pot and
the fan motor etc. In this way these components can be dropped into a
pre-manufactured pot 1602 that the user buys at a local store. This
allows the user to find an outer housing such as a large plant pot that
he or she likes and so purchase an outer housing with a preferred style.

[0139] FIG. 17 illustrates a side view where the pre-manufactured outer
housing 1602, such as a large plant pot which is decorative in nature,
houses the drop in reservoir 1601 and box 107. But in this case the water
pump is a submersible pump 1209. Both the drop-in reservoir and the box
are not custom fitted to the particular pre-manufactured outer housing
1602 in which they are contained, but there is enough room within this
pre-manufactured outer housing for them to fit comfortably within. Wood
chips, Styrofoam or some other filler material 1702 is placed within the
pre manufactured outer housing of the buyer's choice so as to level the
box, stabilize the individual components and to fill up any empty space
within. The use of such filler material allows for an unlimited varieties
of outer shells with many shapes and dimensions and may also deaden the
sound of certain of the mechanisms such as the air movement mechanism.

[0140] The knowledge possessed by someone of ordinary skill in the art at
the time of this disclosure is understood to be part and parcel of this
disclosure and is implicitly incorporated by reference herein, even if in
the interest of economy express statements about the specific knowledge
understood to be possessed by someone of ordinary skill are omitted from
this disclosure. While reference may be made in this disclosure to the
invention comprising a combination of a plurality of elements, it is also
understood that this invention is regarded to comprise combinations which
omit or exclude one or more of such elements, even if this omission or
exclusion of an element or elements is not expressly stated herein,
unless it is expressly stated herein that an element is essential to
applicant's combination and cannot be omitted. It is further understood
that the related prior art may include elements from which this invention
may be distinguished by negative claim limitations, even without any
express statement of such negative limitations herein. It is to be
understood, between the positive statements of applicant's invention
expressly stated herein, and the prior art and knowledge of the prior art
by those of ordinary skill which is incorporated herein even if not
expressly reproduced here for reasons of economy, that any and all such
negative claim limitations supported by the prior art are also considered
to be within the scope of this disclosure and its associated claims, even
absent any express statement herein about any particular negative claim
limitations.

[0141] Finally, while only certain preferred features of the invention
have been illustrated and described, many modifications, changes and
substitutions will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore,
to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such
modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the
invention.

Patent applications by Martin Mittelmark, Schuylerville, NY US

Patent applications in class WITH CONTROL RESPONSIVE TO SENSED CONDITION

Patent applications in all subclasses WITH CONTROL RESPONSIVE TO SENSED CONDITION